United Nations General Assembly Informal Plenary Meeting
24 July 2015
In recognition of Nelson Mandela’s contributions to democracy, racial justice, reconciliation, and his service to humanity, the United Nations General Assembly declared 18 July (his birthday) as Nelson Mandela International Day.
The United Nations General Assembly marked Nelson Mandela International Day with an informal meeting in the Trusteeship Council Chamber at UN Headquarters starting at 10:00 a.m. on 24 July. The meeting included a ceremony to award the first-ever United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize.
The laureates, Dr. Helena Ndume of Namibia and H.E. Mr. Jorge Fernando Branco Sampaio of Portugal attended to receive the Prize.
Speakers at the General Assembly meeting included the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Sam Kahamba Kutesa; the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, the UN Secretary-General’s Chef de Cabinet, Ms. Susana Malcorra (on behalf of the Secretary-General) chairs of five UN regional groups (Bangladesh, Finland, Paraguay, Romania and South Africa) Reverend Jesse Jackson.
- Concept Note
- Draft Programme
- Statement of the President
From left to right, H.E. Mr. Rukahana Rugunda, Prime Minister of Uganda; Ms. Jocelyn Rugunda, Wife of Prime Minister of Uganda; Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Founder and President of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition; Susan Malcorra, Chef de Cabinet, Executive Office of the Secretary-General; H.E. Mr. Sam Kahamba Kutesa, President of the General Assembly; Edith G. Kutesa, wife of the President of the General Assembly, ahead of the General Assembly meeting
